Primer for pumps



' May 24,1932.

B. D. BARTON PRIMER FOR PUMPS Filed March 19, 1928 Ben D. lid/"t 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR Big/17W MP A TTORNEYS y 1932- B. D. BARTON1,859,283

PRIMER FOR PUMPS Filed March 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Shet 2 1 lq' I u\ l M Yaka, N f lfl N of E we); Q

N I V I i I -nv) INVENY 'OR Em D. Ba /"t on bustion engine, the pumpbein Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEN D. BARTON, OFBATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STEAM PUMP COMPANY, OFBATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN PRIMER FOR rUMPs Application filed March 19,1928. Serial No. 262,834.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved priming mechanism for pumps, such ascentrifugal, rotary and the like, which is entirely automatic in itsoperation.

Second, to provide an improved priming mechanism for pumps which is notlikely to become flooded or inoperative.

Third, to provide an improved priming mechanism for pumps which iscontrolled by the pressure of the delivered fluid.

Fourth, to provide a priming mechanism which is very simple and compactin structure and readily applied as an attachment to a considerablevariety of standard pumps now widely used and the product of variousmanufacturers.

Objects relating to details and economies of my, invention will appearfrom the detailed description to follow. The invention is defined andpointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisapplication, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pumping unit embodying the features ofmy invention, the driving member being an internal comof the centrifugaltype, parts being bro en away to better illustrate the structuraldetails.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the priming or control mechanism mainlyin vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a detail section of the parts shown in Fig. 2 with the controlvalve in closed position.

Fig. 4. is a fragmentary end elevation from the left of Fig. 1. Y Y

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form or embodiment of myinvention employing electric motors as driving elements.

In the. drawings similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

In the embodiment illustrated, the internal combustion engine designatedgenerally by the numeral 1 and the pump designated generally by thenumeral 2 are mounted on a common base 3. The internal combustion engineis shown mainly in conventional form and is provided with an intakemanifold 4. and throttle valve 5.

The tangentially disposed discharge 7, this discharge having a returncheck valve 8. An impeller is indicated at 9. Other types of centrifugalor rotary or suction pumps where it is necessary toremove the air ineffective priming may be employed.

I provide a casing consisting, in the embodiment illustrated, of a basemember and a top member 11 havingflanges 12 and 13 between which theedges of the diaphragm 14; are clamped, thereby providing a pressurechamber 15 and a suction chamber 16. The base is provided with a conduitextension 17 threaded into the casing of the pump preferably at the topthereof so that the diaphragm is subject to the pressure. of the fluidwithin the pump.

The suction chamber 16 is connected by the conduit 18 to the pum at acentral point and preferably just above the intake, although the pointof connection would be varied according to the type of pump and even onthe same types of pumps, maybe varied without seriously interfering withthe successful operation.

A vacuum or exhausting means is connect ed to the chamber 16 and wherean internal combustion engine is employed, I connect it to the manifoldas by a conduit 19. V 1

This suction connection is controlled by the Valve 20 seating upwardlyagainst the seat 21 in the lower end of the vertical passage 22 in thetop member 11. This valve rests upon the diaphragm 14, the valvepreferably having ahead 23, as illustrated. The

Valve is provided with a stem 24 projecting through a packing gland 25.A collar 26 is secured to the stem to receive the thrust of the coiledspring 27 so that the spring acts to' urge the valve to open position.

The stem '24 is operatively connected through the bell iirank lever 28which is pivoted at 29 on a bracket 30 and the link 31 to the arm 32 onthethrottle valve so that when the valve is open, the throttle is closedto idling position, thereby increasing the sucpump 2 has a centralintake 6 and a tion. As soon, however, as the pump is primed, the pumpfluid acting on the diaphra 1 1% closes the valve, ofi the suction andopening the throttlewhich '5 is a desirable feature in the control ofthe engine. 1

The control is very responsive, that is, as soon as the pump ceases toact, for instance, failurevof thewater supply such as frequently occurs,for instance, in structural work where it is desired to keep anexcavation free from seepage, the throttle is closed on the engine,thereby cutting down the speed of the engine, the valve being opened sothat an exhaust connection is established with the pump. Assoon as thelevel of water rises to cover the intake of the intake pipe as indicatedat 33, the air is exhausted and the water is lifted until the pumpbecomes operative. As soonas this takes place, the fluid acts on thediaphragm to close the valve. The conduit 18 preferably has anenlargement or liquid trap 181 therein, thisenlargement being of acapacity substantially greater than the capacity of the suction chamberend of the conduit so that in the event of the water passing into theconduit with the exhausted air, the air is separated P from the water orthe air bubbles pass through the water. As soon as the pump becomesoperative, the water. is drawn out of this separating chamber or trap.-

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, I

' i employ an electric motor as a driving means for the pump. As an airexhausting means, Iprovide a small pump 36 driven by a motor 37 andconnected by the conduit 38 to the suction chamber 16, this conduitcorresponding to the conduit 19. The lever 28, in this embodiment, isconnected to a switch member 39, the coacting contacts being indicatedat 40. This switch controls the motor 37 so that when the valve 20 isopened, the switch is closed, thereby starting the motor 37 whichcontinues to operate as long as the valve is closed. When, however, thepump becomes operative, the valve is closed by the pressure actuatedmember and the motor i stopped. It will be understood of course that themotor 35 runs continuously.

My improved priming mechanism is very efiicient and entirely automaticin its operation. The parts are simple and economical and not likely tobecome inoperative in use. I have illustrated and described myimprovements in two embodiments or adaptations which I believe willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may bedesired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with acentrifugal pump and an internal combustion engine for driving therebycutting said pump rovided with an intake having a throttle, o a casing,a diaphragm within said casing providing a pressure chamber and asuction control valve actuated by said diaphragm controlling said intakesuction con-' nection, and operating connections from said suctioncontrol valve to. said throttle whereby the throttle is closed toidlingposition when the suction control valve is open and opened when saidsuction control valve is closed, the

suction connection to the pump being made to a part of the pump casingwhich is normally at lower pressure than the port at which the pressureconnection is made.

2. In a structure of the class described, the

combination with a centrifugal pumpand an internal combustion engine fordriving said pump provided with an intake, of a casing, a diaphragmwithin said casing providing a pressure chamber and a suction chamber,the said pressure chamber being connected to the umpso that saiddiaphragm is subject to the fluid pressure therein, said suction chamberbeing connected to the pump, a suction connection for said suctionchamber to said intake, and a control valve actuated by said diaphragmcontrolling said intake suction connection, the suction connection tothe pump being made to a part of the pump casing which is normally atlower pressure than the part at which the pressure connection is made.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a pumpandan internal combustion engine for driving said pump having an intakeprovided with a throttle valve, of an air exhaust connection from saidintake to said pump, a control valve for said exhaust connection, aspring acting to normally open said valve, operating connections fromsaid valve to said throttle whereby the throttle is opened when saidvalve is closed and closed to idling position whensaid valve is opened,and actuating means for said valve operatively associated with said pumpto be actuated by the fluid delivered by the pump, the suctionconnection to the pump being made to a part of the pump casing which isnormally at lower pressure than the dpart at v which the pressureconnection is ma In wltness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' BEN D. BARTON.

